Softball inks six signees to 2013 Recruiting Class

Dec 05, 2012

Cookeville, Tenn. -- Head coach Tory Acheson announced that the Golden Eagle softball team received six National Letters of Intent Wednesday. The class includes two pitchers, two catchers, and two infielders.

Six signees from six different states, the Golden Eagles have quite a roster on the horizon. With the camps run by the dynamic duo of Coach Tory and Terry Acheson, elite softball players from around the country and this years recruiting class is a testament to the coaching staff.

"This year the circumstances pushed us to look in some new and different places, said Acheson. Part of what I think helped is that we have built connections with all those kids through camp or through them playing with somebody else that we knew. I think those pre-existing connections make it easier for us to recruit them. It also makes it easier for us to have a high level of comfort that they know our program well and we know them well, so it will be a good fit and a good match."

Cassidy Hackney

Hackney is from Soddy Daisy, Tenn. She has played for winning programs her whole career. Soddy High School has won a couple of state championships while she's been there. And then she plays for a very strong Fury team out of Chattanooga. While on the team Fury has been one of the top 5 or 6 teams in the nation in their age group.

"I looked at Tech because it was close to home, but my mind wasn't settled until I visited the campus and met Coach Acheson," said Hackney. "They really changed my mind. I hope to make a good impact on the team, and I just want to make the team better. I'm so excited to have made my decision and relieved to have it out of the way before the spring."

Coach Acheson on Hackney "Cassidy has been a key contributor for both her high school and club teams. She has been well prepared for the collegiate level. She's played for some really good coaches and were excited to have someone with her winning background coming into the program."

Danielle Liberatore

Liberatore is a pitcher from Illinois, and has played for a very successful travel team and strong high school program. With her travel experience, Liberatore should adjust well to the college game. She has played all over the country against some of the best teams in the country.

"I'm really excited to get down there and play" said Liberatore. "I'm such a competitive person, I love to win so I think my attitude will really help to the team. I chose Tech because I loved the size of the school. I wanted to play for a successful program that consistently has a shot at a conference title. I booked a personal experience as a student, and the campus is beautiful. I love the coaches. They really care about you as a person, not just an athlete.

Coach Acheson on Liberatore "Danielle is a great addition for us. She's a left handed thrower, left handed hitter and she's got a lot of potential. I think she is someone who is going to make an immediate impact and were counting on really big things from her. We're very pleased that she's going to be joining the family."

Casey Murdoch

Murdock is a pitcher from the Cincinnati area. She's had tremendous success on both the high school and travel ball level. Her club team has had some high level success on the national level and they do a really good job of preparing their kids for the next level.

"I'm a really good student, and I work hard for my grades and I think that makes Tech a perfect fit for me," said Murdoch. "I think my work ethic also transfers onto the field. I'm such a positive person, and as a pitcher you have to be a leader. I'm just excited to play and learn from the older girls and the coaches. I just take pride in knowing Tech is my team. When I came on my official visit I just had that 'aha' moment, I knew this was where I needed to be. Everything was just perfect."

Coach Acheson on Murdoch "I'm very pleased to add Murdoch. She has a ton of high school records just like all the kids do, but she is another player that we are counting on to make a major impact for us on the mound and also as a player. She is a very good hitter and has played first and third base. Casey is someone that we're going to count on to make a difference."

Gabby Perez

Perez is an infielder and hails from Louisiana. She has played on a bunch of different travel ball teams but has been one of Acheson's campers over the past several years. The coaching staff has seen Perez grow as a athlete, and evolve into a power player.

"I chose Tech because they have such a great nursing program and the atmosphere of the school," said Perez. I also really like the coaching staff. I'm relieved to know that my decision is made, and very excited to experience the challenge of being a college athlete. I'm excited to work my way into the team, learn the ropes but I want to compete for that starting spot. I face adversity well, but I feel like I'm living the dream. I'm excited to say I'm a Golden Eagle.

Coach Acheson on Perez We've gotten to know Gabby very well in the last year or so. She came to camp and then ended up playing with the Fury organization out of Chattanooga. Gabby really fits the profile of what we're looking for in a player. She is very hard working, very consistent, a very dedicated kid and someone who is definitely going to see the field early in her career rather than later.

Alyssa Richards

Richards is an infielder from Texas. Familiar to Tech, Richards found herself being recruited by the same coaches that recruited her older sister. Richards is a powerful player with the ability to change a game.

"From the moment I stepped on campus, I fell in love with the coaches and the school, said Richards. "I'm excited for next year and so relieved to have the future taken care of. Coach Acheson is giving me such a great opportunity to play Division I softball, I'm ready to take on the challange."

Coach Acheson on Richards We're very excited to have Alyssa join the program. She is a very very talented kid. She is a very strong hitter, has a cannon for an arm and just really handles herself well behind the plate. Alyssa is somebody that I think has the chance to make a very strong impact on our program.

Kristin West

West is a catcher and outfielder from the Chattanooga area, just over the state line in north Gerogia. She goes to Heritage High School in Catoosa County. Heritage finished ranked in the Top 5 this year in Georgia and had a heartbreaking loss at the sectional level. The coach, Steve Chattin, was an assiatant coach at Georgia, and an assiatant coach at Middle Tennessee. He runs a very strong program at the high school level. Kristen also played with the Fury this summer. They ended up finishing third in the ASA nationals and did really well.

"I chose Tech because it's close to home and my parents could watch me play. The softball program is just amazing. I've been to the camps, and it just has a family atmosphere which goes a long way for me," said West. "I've been recruited since I was a freshman, so I'm so happy and really excited to have this process over. Since I'm a catcher I've always had a leadership role on the team, then add my outgoing personality, I just feel like I'll fit right in as a Golden Eagle."

Coach Acheson on West Kristin's another very strong player: left handed thrower and a right handed hitter. It's a little bit of an unusual combination. but she's another one that we've gotten to know really well over the last few years. She's been to camp a bunch of times and somebody that we feel really confident is a great fit for our program.